The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-27
GOVERNOR OF THR fills.
THEOBJECr OF SIR JOHN THURS.
TONS VISIT,
To Confer With the State Depart.
ment on the Samoan Isl.
and Affairs.

talneu lnht tne OBJ ect oil the visit 0
Sir John Thurston, Governor OF tn
Fiji Islands, Is 10 confer with tn,
State Department on some features O
affairs In the Samoan Islands ia which
civilized countries have common In
terest. II 10 by virtue OF his position
as special commissioner to Samoa ant
not because he is Governor of tn,
FIJI Islands that he has special knowl
edge with respect TO Samoan affairs
BE 10 now on his way to England I,
confer with the Foreign Office as Il
Samoa and to make personal report
On one subject-in which tire,
countries, the United States, Gres
Britain and Germany have a 1mmor
interest In the title ~ the lands
Large tracts have been sold by the ma
lives to foreigners $4,000 acres having
been sold In one body 10 Geimans),
at very low prices, In some instance.
for not more than 81 per acre. The
consideration has often been ammu.
milton and articles OF barter. but the
titles TO the lands, owing 10 the COM
munistic system In which families
frequently live, are not clear. There
has been disposition TO postpone
the evil day, and as foreign countries,
rivals 10 each other, are constantly &C
curing larger possessions in the
Islands, II Is deemed OF Importance
that there should be some adjustment
Of the difficulties. So great have been
the complications that the natives
have been forbidden by the Samoan
government TO sell their lands, but
they bave not strictly obeyed this or
der. The United States, II II Ia desired
20 retain the advantages which Il now
has in Samoa, will be obliged
coon 10 renew the treaty
with that government. The
present treaty, which was the fret
which Samoa ever negotiated with
any government, will expire on July
2, 1883. II Is not probable that Sir
John Thnrston 10 anxious 10 assist our
government 10 secure the negotiations
Of a new treaty, but Great Britain and
Germany will undoubtedly cooperate
10 improve the basis for the develop
ment OF commerce by coming TO some
understanding 40 TO land titles, and
IL Is admitted by those who haye
visited the islands that the Govern.
ment oil Samoa will do whatever the
great governments named will unite
In asking II to do.
A LYING SETTLER.
Some weeks ago the Commissioner
OF the General Land Office recei we'd a
letter from A. Il. Clapper, q settler In
Eastern Colorado, representing that
that section OF the country twas In
the midst Of drouth, with no signs
Of crope; that settlers were leaving
the land 10 hunt for work." etc, and
nking whether such enforced absence
would imperll their claims when final
proof Ia made. To this inquiry the
Commissioner replied, in substance,
that such absence would not jeop.
aIdlzs their claims, but that settlers
who are obliged 10 leave on account OF
such drouth should be prepared TO
account Tor their absence from this
esuse when final proof Is made, and
tina, in such cases proofs should not
be offered until the law has been fully
complied with after their return 10
the land. Letters have since been re-
eeived by the Commissioner from the
same section showing the reverse Of
Mr.. Clapper's statement 10 be the
truth; that Everything Is looking
tplendidly" with plenty OF rain, etc.
In response 10 one OF these letters
the Commissioner says: 81 simply
advised Mr.. Olapper OF the law upon
J given state OF facts, and Of the dispo.
liton OF this Office 10 be kind and len.
lent 10 bona Ade, honest settlers. Such
advice would not warrant anyone In
leaving his land who had represented
or acting upon misrepresentation OF
ihe iaots. Should the facts bs other
and different hon the representations
made by Mr.. Clapper, the leaving
would be considered al abandon
mtnt."
APPOINTMENTS.
The President appointed the follow.
ing named poetmasien: John II.
kessler, at Ottawa, Kss., vice John l..
Bilse, removed; J. 3. Mattingly, At
Sedan, kal, vice ID. j. Moore, no.
moved Patrick j. Morgan, NJ Solo.
mon City, Kas, vlce ID. w. Wilson,
removed; w. J. Rissean, NJ STARK.
Vile, Misc, vice NJ. I. Sullivan, com.
mission expired.
an ISsuLIiSo CYNICAL ssMissEp.
Some weeks ago Gen. Black, Com.
missioner Of Pensions, with the ~.
prevail OF the Secretary Of the Interior,
ordered the dismissal OF q. Il. Bshlr,
Special Pension Examiner at
Cincinnati, upon Information that
Behlo, at n meeting OF q
German literary society In that
city on July %, last, in the hearing
q a largo company, used grossly In.
tulting language toward the President
Of ths United States. subsequently,
the Secretary ordered q suspension OF
tic Older OF dismissal until Behls
could be heard In his own behalf
Beh.e appeared al the Interior De-
psriment today and WAS given q per.
sonal hearing by the Secretary. He
Cd 10, deny the charges, which were
fabs,attiaied by the alidayits OF
several prominent people Of Cinclu-
Ehii, but said that no had no reoollec.
i.oa OF using tho largnsgt attributed
% him. AZ the conclusion OF the In.
.oiv!sg the Secretary revoked bis or.
der Of suspension, thus dismiaalng
Belle ifcm the service.
PENSION DISTRICTS.
BY direction Of the Commissioner Of
Pensions, the following geographical
rhtnges ar5 IN de In this districts OF
rrp6Tyi0ing Cxamlners, 10 have effect
nn and after August |, 1857. The
state OF Illinois istfaneierred from the
l.iiro.s 10 the Western district, o. Il
biuwning, auperv,slng examiner; and
ne Illinois dietrlc! will be known as
ih8 Indiana districi, ]. II. Fhtts,
fgrefvialng examiner. The territory
81 New Mexico ia transferred from the
Y esieTn 10 the Missouri district, r.
II. spfaguc, supervising examiner.
That psri Of the State Of Ohio, living
ucIth n the "Pan handle" or Pitts.
tuig CiDninnau and ~. Louis rail-
fUHt, fuuniug through Steubenville